/Volumes/admin/2018-2019 Letters/Newletters/Newsletter 23rd November 2018.doc

Friday 23rd November 2018 Staff Vacancies Please note that we have vacancies for two Lunchtime Supervisors for 6¼ hours per week (12.05-13.20pm – term time only). If you are interested, please obtain full details from our school website. Poppies

Poppy Installation Thank you so much for the many compliments we have received from parents, grandparents, and members of the local community on the poppy installation, which was our tribute to the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. The poppies, made by every child in school, were positioned around the silhouette of a WWI soldier. We were able to purchase the silhouette from the Royal British Legion, using funding kindly donated by the PFA. The overall effect was quite dramatic, with lots of passers-by stopping to look and reflect, as we have in school, on the sacrifice made by so many, so we can be free today. Christmas Fair Our PFA are working hard to organise this year’s Christmas Fair. This will take place on Friday 30th November from 3.45pm to 6.00pm. Please note that on that day children can come in their own clothes in return for a donation for the Fair!

Chocolates and cakes Year 3 and 4 Bottles and cakes Year 5 and 6

Teddies in good condition All year groups

There are still tickets available to see Santa. You can use the pre booking form available from the school office to book your time slot. The PFA also need help with setting up, running stalls and clearing away at the end of the Fair. If you can help for all or part of the event, please email your contact details to pfa@walmley-jun.bham.sch.uk

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The Eco-Council The Eco-Council have been very busy this month preparing for 'Energy Week' which is taking place week beginning 26th November 2018. Children across the school will be learning about different aspects of energy, going on an energy fact hunt around the school and taking part in some valuable research about how much screen time they use when they are at home. Your child will be coming home with a sheet to record how much screen time they use in one day - please can you support them with filling this sheet in. Following on from this, the Eco-Council will be setting all children the challenge of reducing their screen time usage. Let's see if we can make it a huge reduction! The Eco-Council will also be raising money for Fairtrade Farmers at the Christmas Fair on the 30th November, by selling homemade gingerbread men. Come and visit our stall and help us to raise money for a good cause. Year 4 Whitemoor Lakes What an amazing trip this was! The children enjoyed all the activities, such as archery, abseiling and the zipwire. We discovered that we have a few daredevils among us who weren’t afraid to climb the high ropes course and jump off the top! We were really pleased with how determined the children were to give things a go, even if they were nervous about something: this gave them a real sense of achievement. We also had two good nights’ sleep – a rarity on residential trips! Well done, Year 4. Year 5 Outward Bound Trip On the 5th November, 66 of our Year 5 children set off for five days at Outward Bound in Ullswater. The weather was wet and windy but this did not dampen our spirits and we had a fantastic week. The children challenged themselves physically and emotionally to achieve so many things they didn’t know they could do. All the instructors commented on what a fantastic group of children they were! Although exhausted, children came home with a real understanding of teamwork, greater independence and skills that will last them a lifetime. Year 6 London Trip Last week, Year 6 had a fabulous day in the capital city. The busy day started with a whistle-stop tour of the London landmarks: Nelson’s Column, Downing Street, Big Ben and The Cenotaph. We arrived at The Houses of Parliament and were guided around the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Some groups were even lucky enough to see Theresa May! Everyone enjoyed the boat trip, particularly waving at passers-by on the bridges. The day concluded with a London Eye experience. The children were a credit to the school and thoroughly enjoyed the day.

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Children in Need Our School Council organised a non-uniform day, a raffle and a range of games in the hall which children enjoyed. Thank you to those local businesses who donated prizes for the raffle. The children raised an amazing £719.40 for this special charity – very well done! Christmas Lunch 19th December We would like to give the children who normally have sandwiches the opportunity to have a school Christmas lunch. The cost of this is £2.35. Please send your payment in a named envelope to the school office by Friday 7th December.

Dinner Money Dinner money is £11.75 per week (i.e. £2.35 per meal). If you prefer to pay for the half-term in advance, it will be £68.15 from Tuesday 8th January 2019 to Friday 15th February 2019. Please ensure that payments are made promptly using our online system www.scopay.com/login Outstanding dinner money invoices will be sent by email and we wish to remind you that dinner money should always be paid in advance, not arrears. We hope that your child will have school dinners but please remember to give the school office one week’s notice in writing of any changes to your child’s lunch arrangements. School Ties Please ensure your child comes to school wearing the correct school uniform; this includes a tie. If your child does not have a tie, these can now be purchased from the school office for £6.50. Online Safety/Safeguarding Tip of the week Your password should be like your toothbrush “not shared”! Health and Safety – Children on the playground before 8.45 am Please be aware when dropping off your children in the morning that there are no members of staff on duty in the playground until 8.45 a.m., therefore your children are not supervised until this time. We do however provide a before-school club for parents who need to drop their children off earlier than that. Any bookings should be made in advance via Mrs Hinks, our Earlybirds Club Manager, on 0121 351 6831 or 07967 150336. Unless your children are registered for Earlybirds, they SHOULD NOT be on school premises before 8.45 a.m. as they are not supervised by the adults in school.

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Dates for the Diary

Autumn Term 2018 28th November Year 3 Trip to Theatre 30th November PFA Christmas Fair (3.45-6.00pm) 10th December Year 3 Christmas Show - Grandparents 2.15 pm 11th December Year 3 Christmas Show 9.15 am 11th December Year 4 Christmas Show - Grandparents 2.15 pm 12th December Year 4 Christmas Show 9.15 am 19th December Christmas Lunch 19th December Year 5 Christmas Carol Service at St. John’s Church 6.00pm 20th December Break-up for Christmas 21st December Teacher Training Day Spring Term 2019 7th January Teacher Training Day 8th January School Open 7th February PFA Disco 5.30 – 7.00pm 13th & 14th February Parents’ Evenings (2 of 3) 15th February Break up for Half Term 25th February School Open 29th March Year 4 Mothers’ Day Service at St John’s Church 12th April Break up for Easter Summer Term 2019 29th April School Open 6th May May Day Bank Holiday 13th- 16th May Year 6 SATs 20th May Y3.1 at Woodlands Camp, Aldridge 21st May School Photographer – classes/groups 22nd May Y3.2 at Woodlands Camp, Aldridge 23rd May Year 5 Roman Museum 4 – 5.30pm 24th May Y3.3 at Woodlands Camp, Aldridge 24th May Break up for Half Term 3rd June Teacher Training Day 4th June School Open 14th June Year 3 Fathers’ Day Service 20th June PFA Disco 5.30 – 7.00pm 8th July Sports Day 16th July Parents’ Evening (3 of 3) 18th July Year 6 Leavers’ Disco 19th July Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly 19th July Break up for Summer Holidays 22nd July Teacher Training Day